Setting The Next Rows
Once you set the first row, get a knife to cut the next piece, which is vital in setting sod right. Its the same thing you would when laying bricks. Remember to arrange sections of the turf snugly, such that they never overlap. Not only is it essential in improving the appearance of the seams, but to also reduce any likelihood of drying. Then get a knife and use it to make holes in the ground,
Why Wont Sod Survive On Top Of Existing Grass
In order for sod to survive, it has to be able to form a root system. In order to do this, your sod needs to have contact with the soil beneath it. If you install sod on top of your existing lawn, the existing grass forms a layer between your sod and the soil beneath. Your fresh sod will be unable to reach the soil to develop roots. Proper preparation to the soil and ground beneath the sod is crucial to the success of your lawn. For a guide on how to properly install sod, check out our full 7-step guide.
Freshly laid sod also needs proper nutrients to thrive and to grow. Existing grass makes it hard for sod to get the nutrients it needs to survive. Have you ever set a heavy, dense object on top of your lawn? If the object is left there for awhile the grass underneath it will decompose. Once the object is removed the grass gets a slimy, sort of wet layer on top of it. This is what happens to the grass beneath the sod. This doesnt seem like a great growing environment and your sod will not be receiving all of the nutrients it needs.
How To Prepare To Lay Sod
An important thing to remember before you start your project is that each roll or square of sod is a living plant that requires soil contact and moisture to survive. These helpful steps will help you with your own sod laying journey.
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What Is Best Fertilizer For Sod
Roots of newly laid grass sod first need phosphorus, which helps them become established. Then the grass leaves need to grow, which requires nitrogen. The best fertilizer for sod prep is a a slow-release fertilizer formulated for sod because it gives the grass useful phosphorus and nitrogen at the right time.
Remove Grass In Area Where Sod Will Be Laid
Whether youre laying new sod in half your yard or just patching an area that has turned yellow from animal use, its essential to dig up any existing weeds, dead grass, or other plant life in the area. Remove old plant material in a rectangle-shaped area. This will make fitting and trimming new sod a lot easier.
- Measure and mark rectangle area where new sod will be laid.
- Use your shovel to cut out the rectangle and remove existing grass.
- Dig down far enough to remove roots and thatch .
Once youve removed the existing plant material, the hardest work is done. Dont worry about having a perfectly level surface at this stage. The following steps will take care of that.
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How Do I Fix Large Bare Spots In My Lawn
Preparing bare spots for repair Mow damaged spots and surrounding areas at normal spring mowing levels, and then remove dead or damaged grass to expose clean soil. If leveling is needed, add or remove topsoil, rake spots briskly, and then smooth the surface. Loose, smooth soil invites new seedlings to take hold.
Can You Put Sod Over Grass Yes Heres How To Prepare
Having a nice lawn with newly planted sod can complement other landscape features. Laying a new sod lawn will make your property more aesthetically appealing if you plan to sell or give you a place to sit or play with your family.
Laying new sod rather than planting seeds may be the easy option as it reduces lawn maintenance. Sod has already undergone the necessary care and attention it needs after being seeded. Installing new sod may seem like the easy option as it requires less care, but youll need to ensure its watered enough and that the ground is correctly prepared before laying the sod.
While you can lay new sod over grass, youll need to do some prep work as the sod needs to be placed on top of freshly turned soil so it can establish its root system and grow effectively.
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Clean And Grade The Site
Rough construction sites will likely need to be cleaned of rubble and trash, and you may need to perform some grading to level out low spots
This step is usually not necessary if you’re simply removing old lawn grass prior to laying new sod, though it is possible you might want to use this opportunity to solve any drainage issues or create gentle contours if your landscape plans call for it.
Sod Over Existing Grass: How To Do It
Laying sod could be a tough job, and its better to look for a process that makes it easier to put on a new lawn. Laying new sod over existing grass could be an easy way of resodding a lawn. Many would say that laying sod on top of existing grass would be the way to go. You might also say that this process will cut down a lot of your time. But it might end up adding more time than it saves. In this article, we will also provide you with instructions on how to do it correctly and the list of materials and tools needed for such a job.
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Roots Dont Make Contact
While it may not be the answer youd like to hear, if you want good results, the answer to Can I lay sod over existing grass is always no. One of the most important reasons why you should not lay sod over an existing lawn is that when you lay sod over existing grass, the roots of the sod won’t make contact with the soil beneath. This means that the sod will have a harder time taking root and may eventually start to die. To avoid this problem, you need to make sure that the roots of the sod are in contact with the soil. This can be done by removing the old lawn before you lay down the sod. This will help ensure your new sod gets off to a successful start.
Related Questions On Sod
Dont know what to do with your leftover sod?
Many garden centers accept sod cuttings for their mulching project, so call around if youre concerned about diverting large amounts of yard waste from the waste stream when you re-sod your lawn. for the complete list of places that recycle yard waste in Colorado.
When installing sod, how do you go about the watering aspect?
As with any other turf-laying project, youll need to consider grading and drainage when you install your new sod, making sure water doesnt pool in low spots and drains properly. Check out this article from Colorado State University for how to set up your lawn for sod in terms of watering systems, along with some of our tips for watering your lawn once it is set up.
Have other questions?
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How We Can Help
So, how do you lay sod over existing grass? Unless the underlying turf that you are planning to put sod over is very sparse, it is best to go with another strategy, such as better preparing your soil for connection or professional installation.
Still want a quick and easy fix for your lawn? Apply for our sod installation service for fast, dependable, and hassle-free service so we can help ensure you get the lawn you want.
Removing Your Existing Lawn:
Prior to the installation of sod, any existing lawn should be chemically killed and removed. Make sure that the existing lawn is well watered and growing vigorously. Apply an herbicide such as Roundup, or a similar product, to the entire lawn. Read and follow all label instructions. A second application about two weeks after the first will catch those areas missed and generally insure a complete kill of turf and weeds. Should the existing lawn contain bermuda grass, kikuyu grass, or other warm season grasses, chemical control will only be attained from April through mid-October. For information concerning the control of weed seed prior to sod installation, consult your local nurseryman for recommendations.
When the turf is dry, brown and dead, you can remove the lawn. Rent a sod cutter and cut the lawn into small sections. Just cut short, thin strips! They are easier to move, and you only need to cut out the dead sod, not a thick layer of soil. A sod cutter is about the size of a lawnmower, so you might want to arrange for help loading and unloading this piece of equipment from your vehicle. If you already have a sprinkler system, use flags to mark the sprinkler heads so you don’t hit them!
After removing the old sod, rake over the soil to remove any debris. Water for a few days to see what grows back. You can put down another application of herbicide to kill off any re-growth.
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How To Lay Sod
Step 1: Start flush against the edge of your existing grass and roll out your sod onto the prepared soil in sections. If you have a sloping lawn, youll want to lay the sod horizontally on the slope for better water retention.
Step 2: Ensure the strip of sod has full contact with the soil and then lay the next section flush against the first one with no gaps between the strips.
Step 3: Continue laying strips in the same fashion until youve covered the entire section of soil.
Step 4: Use a sharp tool to trim any remaining sod so that you have no overlapping sections.
Laying Sod Next To Existing Grass
You can patch your lawn by laying sod next to the existing grass with just a few simple tools and tips. This job is DIY friendly and easy to accomplish in an afternoon. In order to fill a bare patch in your lawn or replace yellowed grass with new sod, youll need:
- Utility knife or sod knife
- Compost or fertilizer
Once you have all the tools you need, youre ready to repair your lawn and lay new sod that fits seamlessly with your existing grass.
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How To Care For Your New Sod Patches:
- Mowing: You can resume mowing immediately with a lightweight push mower or a robotic mower, but youll want to wait until your grass is rooted before mowing with a heavy, riding lawn mower. Don’t wait too long – once it is rooted and it is growing, start mowing!
- Weed control: The best solution is to hand pull weeds. You can spot treat with a post-emergent herbicide only after youve mowed your new grass patches at least 3-4 times and your seams have disappeared. But be aware that post-emergent treatment can cause discoloration of your newly patched grass!
- Pre-emergent: Wait a full growing season after install before applying pre-emergent herbicide to these areas of your lawn. Pre-emergent can adversely affect the roots of sod that isnt established.
- Fertilizing: If you added a layer of Soil³ beneath your sod patches, it will provide natural nutrients to help the roots get established. You should follow the fertilizer schedule that coincides with your grass type and can be found in our lawn maintenance guides.
How To Remove Old Grass And Lay New Sod
Things You Now Know!
After reading this blog post, you should have a better understanding of how to lay sod and the costs associated with it. However, if you are still unsure or would like more information on other lawn care topics not covered in this article, please feel free to contact our team for help!
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How To Prepare Your Ground For Sod And Installation
Lawn and grass areas add beauty, texture, color, and a perfect cool environment to your landscaping. With Mighty 109, you can rest easy that you have purchased the best sod available with a complete Mighty 109 Guarantee. To assist you in successfully installing your new sod, we have put together a helpful step-by-step guild for preparing your soil including growing tips.
Can You Put Sod On Top Of Sand
Laying sod over sand is a quick way to establish a new lawn. A yard often contains a combination of the common soil types: sand, silt, clay and loam. … Laying sod over sand is a similar procedure to placing sod over any other type of soil. A benefit of laying sod over sand is that water drains quickly.
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Clear Away Debris And Prepare The Ground
Before you can lay new sod over your grass, youll need to prepare the soil. First, collect any debris such as rocks, sticks, or rubbish and dispose of it. If you have any toys or landscaping features in your yard, youll also need to move these out of the way. You can then pull up any weeds and use a herbicide to get rid of any weeds that are tricky to pull.
You can then rake your yard, and if youre not laying sod across your whole yard, you can mark out the area where the sod will go. Next, till the soil in your yard using a mechanized tiller. This will break up your existing grass, including the roots. Apply starter fertilizer to your newly tilled soil. Sod needs its own fertilizer. You may also like to add about an inch of compost on top of the ground. This can be mixed into the soil by tilling or raking.
Finally, rake the soil to ensure that its flat. You can also examine your yard for any bumps or holes. Fill in holes and rake over bumps to ensure a smooth surface. Next, its time to roll your lawn using a roller drum. Its best to roll your yard lightly, you dont want to compact the soil too much, or it will be difficult for the new sod to establish roots. You can then water your lawn and allow it to settle for about a week.
Need Sod Installation In Apopka Fl Trust Ground Source
Sod installation can be tricky, whether youre trying to lay sod next to existing grass, puzzling over what type of sod is best for your property, or worried about the health and quality of your new sod lawn.Were happy to deliver our high-quality sod to you for your DIY lawn project. Or, spend your weekend relaxing instead of lugging around heavy rolls of sod. Let the pros at Ground Source handle the delivery and installation for you, whether you need an entire sod lawn, a partial lawn, or just a few patches. Were sod experts, but our skills dont stop there. Were with you every step of the way as you plan your perfect outdoor space.Sod, irrigation, landscape design: Let us transform your yard from an embarrassing eyesore to a place you spend every spare minute.Are you ready to enjoy the vibrant, impressive yard you’ve always wanted? Request a quote today! Well help you review your options and then transform your property.
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How To Prep Your Soil Before Laying New Sod
Step 1: Till the remaining soil to loosen it up and break up the solid chunks. Loose soil will make it easier for the sods roots to become established.
Step 2: Rake the soil as well, and make the surface is even so that your sod will appear flat with no uneven spots.
Step 3: Sprinkle a thin layer of topsoil onto the soil for some added nutrients.
Step 4: Water the soil lightly to dampen it before laying your sod.
Can I Lay Sod Over Or Next To Existing Grass Tips For Apopka Fl Homeowners
Everybody loves a shortcut, right? Especially when it comes to dirty, back-breaking work like laying sod.We can sense you pondering how to lay your new sod and be done in time to grab a steak dinner and fit in nine holes of golf.Maybe you can just lay new sod over the existing grass? Or maybe you dont need to install a whole new lawn. Can you just do some patches, and lay sod next to existing grass?Just like magic, here are your answers.
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